Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-02-18

They now generally leave il to the editors,
whose chief object and reliance are pecuni-
AIRY profits.
WASHINGTON ADDRESSING CONGRESS-.
In the autumn of ii0j Oliver Phelps re
quested me 10 go to Virginia and negotiate
the sale of some land liberal compen-
sation was furnished me undertook the
agency, though feeling incompetent for the
business, not having had any previous eN
perience | set out ON my journey, and
when | arrived at Philadelphia the session
of Congress had just commenced, and |
heard President Washington deliver his
speech He was in full dress, and, with
hair in bag with side-arms on, he seemed
10 me better to represent dignity and maj
esty than any one ! had ever seen. AT
Richmond | soon ascertained that no man
ner Of reliance could be placed in the con
tract | was 10 investigate My instructions
were, if that contract failed, to make AN
other with some responsible party. For
this purpose entered into negotiations
with the governor of Virginia, who was
then the celebrated Cen Henry Lee, and
made with him a conditional contract. He
was the Revolutionary "Light-Hors Har-
ry, who often brought terror and destruc-
ton into the camps Of the southern British
army. He was remarkable for his fine
manners and great address; was gallant
soldier and great favorite Of Washington.
The country was much excited then by the
Jay treaty, which Washington with the
advice of the senate, had ratified. Nir-
ginia was opposed 10 it. saw good deal
of the great men Of Virginia. and among
others | became acquainted with Bu,hrod
Washington, then II practicing lawyer in
Richmond, afterwards "a judge of the su
preme court.
A PERSONAL INTERVIEW WITH WASHINGTON.
When about to leave Richmond was en-
trusted with package Of papers which
was instructed to deliver to President Wash
ington in person at Philadelphia When at
Philadelphia inquired for Mr. Dundridgc,
his private secretary, who showed me into
room saying that he would inform the
President He soon entered the room.
pointing me to a seat lie commenced
reading the package. found out ! was IA
Yankee. spoke about New Hampshire and
inquired when expected 10 leave the city.
| answered him Immediately. and made my
hest bow A. | rose | saw him measure my
height with hi, eye. stood erect tp give
him the whole Of it. 1t evidently exceeded
his Til, was the only time ! ever saw
Gen Washington. except when he address
ed Congress His dress was quite plain
supposed it to be his riding dress long
boots, corduroy ,malls specked red jacket,
blue coat with yellow buttons. am thus
minute because deem the most trniuI cir
cumstance relating 10 him interesting
have never doubted that he WAS by far the
best and greatest man that have ever seen.
A a public man he appeared aS near per.
| fection rs it is possible for human nature to
he
MR.. MASON INTRODUCED To AARON BURR.
/ was introduced to COL Burr. who was
then at the height Of his reputation lie,
with much apparent sincerity, strongly al
vised my coming to New York said he had
no doubt of my success, and promised me
his patronage He remarked that New
| York would soon supplant Virginia and
govern the Union. | knew that he was in
the habit Of drawing young men around
him, taking them under his patronage and
converting them into political partisans
This greatly lessened the influence Of his
advice.
| FISHER AMEs.
Mr. Mason was present in the House Of
Representatives when Fisher Ames made
his great speech upon the British treaty ne
gotiated by Jay 1t was mastery display
of the highest kind Of eloquence. After
the House had been tagged and tired almost
10 death with the discussion by the most
talented men in the nation, and nauseated
| with the subject. he revived and excited
the highest state Of feeling, and was
heard with the most profound interest.
Such was the obvious effect on the feelings
of the House, that on his taking his seat
and nobody rising to answer, and the ques-
ton being about to be put, one OF the oppo-
sition, think Mr.. Giles, moved an adjourn
ment saying that under such feelings the
House was incompetent to act wisely ~
safely. Mr. Mason observes ! afterwards
had the good fortune of seeing and hearing
Mr.. Ames converse several times. With
much genius, he had the purest moral and
critical taste. As is commonly the case
with high powers of the imagination, he
dealt little with logical reasoning, but leap
ed 10 his conclusions as it would seem 10y in
tuition
From other sources We learn that in lSO+
Mr.. Mason was appointed Attorney General
of New Hampshire, then residing at Ports
mouth and being at that time the Hcknowl
edged head Of the New Hampshire bar
that in 1913 he was chosen to represent the
state in the United States Senate, and took
a leading part in the debates on questions
connected with the war of 1872. In 1871
he resigned his seat in the Senate and re
sumed the practice of his profession. Ii,
was afterwards chosen to represent Ports
mouth in the legislature, and served through
several sessions, taking AN active and lead
ing part in debate and on committees. lie
took leading part in the revision of thu
state code Of legislation He drafted tn
report and resolutions of the Legislature ol
the Virginia resolutions touching the Mis-
souri, compromise. In 1892 he removed L
Boston where he continued his law prac
tice, contending with equal power with sucl
men as Chief Justice Parsons Judge Stor.
and Daniel Webster. lie died in Boston il
1913. I, HALE.
The TRAITS OF CHARACTER in which la
Al. .t,.n,rtb Of -, D,.asi,1ant A,tb,,